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Jeans -> Mini Skirt:: A different way
This tute will show you how to make a simple mini skirt using the legs from denim jeans!

Posted by Max California from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia • Published See Max California's 26 projects »
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  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 1
    Step 1

    Cut the legs off your jeans. i'm using a pair of black jeans + a pair of pink jeans. Jeans sideseams are quick thick, so i just cut the side seams completely off. I was left with a pile of strips

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 2
    Step 2

    Here's my strips. They're not perfect, but that's ok :D

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 3
    Step 3

    I kept the hems of the jeans and I'll be using them as the hem on my skirt. I've got four legs which is a perfect size for me for front + back including a tiny seam allowance.

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 4
    Step 4

    Stitch the short ends of your strips to make long strips. I made one loooong black strip + the same in pink. Serge the new seams.

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 5
    Step 5

    My long black strip :D

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 6
    Step 6

    My piles of strips ;D

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 7
    Step 7

    Grab a skirt that fits you well

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 8
    Step 8

    Lay the strips over them. I'm going to have alternating stripes of black + pink. Remember to leave about 1cm on the edges and overlap them by one cm when you lay them down for seam allowances. Cut the strips to size. It doesn't hurt to be a little generous with this, just in case.

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 9
    Step 9

    You should get something that looks a little like this. I added an extra strip across the top in the end because it was a tad too short.

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 10
    Step 10

    Flip over each strip + pin it the strip below it - you're matching the right sides together.

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 11
    Step 11

    Stitch it!

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 12
    Step 12

    Topstitch it! This helps your stripes lay flat.

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 13
    Step 13

    I usually always topstitch the seam down. Because I wanted the pink to stay pink + not have a seam through it, I did all my topstitching on the black stripes. This means on the inside, some seams are sticking up, but because I only used small 1cm seams, it doesn't really affect how the skirt sits or feels.

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 14
    Step 14

    All your strips sewn together should look like this. Not perfect I know ((I realised my black jeans were slightly stretchy + the pink was not!)) Now you have a front of your skirt

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 15
    Step 15

    Fold the base skirt you're using in half. This is going to be the back of your skirt.

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 16
    Step 16

    Start laying your strips down. Make sure you have seam allowances like you did for the front. I'm doing an exposed zipper on this skirt, so I only need one cm down the centre back on each side for the seam allowance. If you're inserting the zip properly, you'll need to add about 2cm for the seam allowance. Remember you need to do double for both sides of the back, make sure you don't two of the same side! The strips need to be mirror images of each other ;D

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 17
    Step 17

    You should have this! Try to keep the centre back edges as straight as possible. When you stitch them you'll prolly have to trim them back to make them straight again so again - be generous with your seam allowances.

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 18
    Step 18

    get distracted by your adorable cat

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 19
    Step 19

    Stitch your strips together as you did for the front, remembering to top stitch.

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 20
    Step 20

    If you need to trim the centre back edges to make them straight, do it now. Then serge them.

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 21
    Step 21

    You should have two of these now ;D Hopefully they are mirror images!

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 22
    Step 22

    Now we're going to make facings as this skirt doesn't have a waistband. Facings help the top of the skirt to sit nicer + looks neater too. Go to your box of scraps and get some fabric. It doesn't matter if it matches or not because no one will be able to see it. I always make my facings or pocket linings in totally outrageous colours just for fun ;D

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 23
    Step 23

    Fold your scraps in half + lay one of the back pieces on top of it, matching the centre back edge to the fold. Cut across the top of the scrap and down the side about 4-6 cm. Now cut down the fold so you have two seperate facings. Do the same for the front piece of the skirt, cutting one long facing out.

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 24
    Step 24

    Here's my facings. Usually they're a little curved to fit your body better. I was being lazy >.<

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 25
    Step 25

    Cut out matching pieces for the facings out of interfacing. I use iron-on interfacing because it's much easier to work with. You can use the sew on one, but it's a little fiddly. Interfacing strengthens the fabric a little, makes it tougher. I always use interfacing for my facings.

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 26
    Step 26

    Iron the interfacing to the wrong sides of the facing pieces. REMEMBER that the shiny side goes down face first as the shiny stuff is the glue! Always check 529572975 times to make sure you're not going to melt interfacing onto your iron!

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 27
    Step 27

    Stitch the side seams of your facings together + serge, make sure you don't accidentally sew the straight centre back edges instead!

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 28
    Step 28

    Serge the lower length of the facing.

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 29
    Step 29

    It should look like this :D

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 30
    Step 30

    Stitch the side seams of your mini skirt together - the backs to the front. You'll need to trim the edges a little to make them evenish. Serge the edges.

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 31
    Step 31

    Pin the facing to the skirt, right sides together. Make sure you match up your side seams!

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 32
    Step 32

    Stitch + Serge it!

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 33
    Step 33

    Topstitch!

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 34
    Step 34

    Pin your zip to the edge of the centre back of the skirt. Remember I'm doing an exposed zipper!

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 35
    Step 35

    Stitch it! Do the same for the other side + you're done!

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 36
    Step 36

    TADAAAA!

  • How to sew a denim skirt. Recycled Denim Mini Skirt - Step 37
    Step 37

    Grab some Nerds Rope + prance around your place in the glory of your awesome recycled skirt!

    ((Please Note:: Nerds Rope was the closest I could get to being drunk while pregnant. ahaha. Yes, would you believe I was at least 4 months pregnant in these photos!))

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Comments

Bat Ma'am
Bat Ma'am · Seattle, Washington, US · 13 projects
That IS an adorable cat! And nerds rope is amazing xD
Awesome tutorial, glad I found this Happy
Reply
Dian
Dian · 9 projects
Wow its very good idea to use old jeans. thanks for upload the how-to!
Reply
Zombie Blood Glows in the Dark
perfection! <33 -_*
Reply

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